Up to 15% of the adult population in the United States experience some degree of difficulty hearing. This figure, from the National Institute on Deafness and Other Communication Disorders (NIDCD), shows just how common hearing loss is. In fact, in the United States, it is the third most chronic physical condition.
Most types of hearing loss happen gradually over time. This gradual progression can make it difficult to notice that your hearing is changing. The signs may, at first, be very subtle. Some of the more common symptoms of hearing loss include:
- Asking people to repeat themselves more
- Increasing the volume on the T.V. or radio
- Difficulty understanding people on the phone
- Difficulty hearing in noisy situations
- Symptoms of tinnitus
If you have noticed these symptoms in yourself, you may be wondering if you need a hearing assessment. You may even decide to start with an online hearing test.
4 Things to Know About Online Hearing Tests
A simple Google search can throw up many results for online hearing tests. An online hearing test can be a good first step to identifying hearing loss. It may provide some helpful answers. But can you trust the results? Here are 4 things you should know about online hearing tests.
Understand What They Can (And Cannot) Show You
An online hearing test can be a good first step towards identifying hearing loss. However, it’s important to note that they are not a substitute for a hearing assessment carried out by a professional.
A hearing assessment, carried out by your local hearing healthcare specialist, will do more than just screen your hearing. They will carry out an in-depth assessment and help to identify your type of hearing loss. In turn, they will help you plan out treatment options and monitor your hearing moving forward.
Find Tests With Real World Simulations
Understanding your hearing loss requires understanding how your hearing adapts in different listening environments. On a normal day, you may move through multiple listening environments. Noisy, full of distractions, to quiet.
Online hearing tests may offer up real world simulations of listening environments. This can help provide more accurate results. But realistically, you’re likely still taking the test in the peace and quiet of your home!
Do Not Adjust Your Volume
You may be tempted to increase the volume on your device during an online hearing test. This can skew the results, and affect your results. Ensure that your volume is set to a normal, comfortable level before commencing any test. And avoid the temptation to turn the volume up!
Matching You To Hearing Aid Devices
Ultimately, the objective of an online hearing test is to determine if you have hearing loss. If the test indicates that you do, you’re likely thinking “and now what?”
If you have a hearing assessment with a hearing healthcare professional, they can talk you through the next steps. If you can benefit from hearing aids, they will also be able to match you to the appropriate hearing aid devices. Ensuring that your hearing aids are suitable for your lifestyle helps improve your listening experience. An online hearing test simply cannot compare.
If you suspect that your hearing may have changed, we encourage you to book an appointment with the hearing healthcare specialists at Anderson Audiology. We would be happy to offer you a complimentary hearing assessment. To book an appointment, call us on 702-997-2964. Alternatively, click here to request an appointment online.